STAC Surges Past Women's Basketball, 78-49
Links: Box Score
SPARKILL, N.Y. – The Merrimack College women's basketball team hung with St. Thomas Aquinas through one half of play, but the Spartans pulled away in the second half for a 78-49 victory on Saturday afternoon. The Warriors concluded play at the STAC Conference Challenge by splitting their two games at Aquinas Hall during the season-opening weekend.
The Basics
Score: St. Thomas Aquinas 78, Merrimack 49
Records: Merrimack (1-1) | St. Thomas Aquinas (2-0)
Location: Aquinas Hall | Sparkill, N.Y.
How It Happened
Senior center Madison Ward (Binghamton, N.Y.) got off to a strong start, connecting on three of her seven field goals in the opening quarter. Unfortunately for the Warriors, every other player combined to make just one shot in the first frame as the Spartans led by six points, 14-8, at the end of 10 minutes.
After the Warriors scored the first points of the second quarter courtesy of free throws from Tia Scott (New York, N.Y.), the Spartans went on a 9-0 run build a 23-10 lead. Senior captain Ashley Weissmann (Highland, Calif.) hit a three-pointer with 6:22 to play in the half to halt the run, but the Spartans controlled play over the remainder of the quarter. The hosts entered halftime with a 33-24 advantage.
STAC scored 12 of the first 17 points of the third quarter to increase its lead to 16 points, 45-29. The lead extended to as many as 19 points in the third, with the Warriors struggling to sustain an extended offensive run.
In the final quarter, the Spartans defensive held Merrimack scoreless over the first 5:18 of game time to prevent any comeback from the Warriors. Ward continued to be the bright spot on the day for the Navy and Gold, hitting two additional field goals in the fourth quarter to finish the game with 16 points, setting a new career high.
Inside The Numbers
- Merrimack's senior center posted one of the best offensive games of her career. Ward got to 16 points by hitting 7-of-12 from the field. The seven field-goals made were also a new personal best for fourth-year player
- Weissmann joined Ward in double figures with 11 points, scoring at least 10 points in both games over the weekend. The two-year captain sank the team's lone three-point field goal on the day, shooting 4-of-10 overall.
- Junior Savannah Johnson (Palmdale, Calif.) secured seven rebounds to lead the team, while Scott picked up five assists to increase her total to 17 through two games
- Freshmen Emily Stephens (Kings Park, N.Y.) and Lindsay Werner (Groton, Mass.) made their Merrimack debuts after not playing on Friday against UDC. Sophomore Adrianna DeCicco (Shokan, N.Y.) also made her season debut
- After shooting over 50 percent in the season opener, the Warriors hit just 37.5 percent from the field on Saturday. The Spartans were able to take advantage of Navy and Gold turnovers, scoring 48 points off of Merrimack miscues
Up Next
The Warriors play in their home opener on Wednesday night against Bentley University at 5:30 p.m. from Hammel Court.
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